Pondicherry, India – The plan launched by Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram to extend to churches her government’s free lunch programme has been rejected by Catholic religious leaders. In their view, the Annadhanam scheme can create practical difficulties, be a source of quarrels and harm the sanctity of places of worship.
In seven Catholic churches, the Annadhanam was launched on Christmas, but it is Ms Jayalalithaa’s intention to extend the programme to 100 other churches. However, the Bishops’ Council of Tamil Nadu declined the offer because it could dangerously split communities.
In a joint statement, Mgr Peter Fernando, archbishop of Maturai and Council chairman, and Mgr Malayappan Chinnappa, archbishop of Chennai-Mylapore, said that there were practical difficulties in selecting churches and beneficiaries for the scheme. Choosing who would be entitled and who would not can cause disparities, especially in rural areas, and lead to “unnecessary splits among the parishes in the state”.
They stated that providing regular, government-funded free lunches in churches runs against Christian customs and might even hinder the sanctity, cleanliness and peace of the places of worship. Praying might become “meaningless” since it would no longer be possible to distinguish between actual believers and those who “came to church only to get food”. Furthermore, they worry that such a scheme could interfere in the affairs of the Church.
Even though it is appropriate to organise collective meals on given occasions, the two archbishops said Christianity does not believe in providing free food year round. What is more, even if the poor should be fed, the money should come from almsgivers, not government funds.
They explained that although Catholics are only 5.5 per cent of the state’s population, they are actively involved in important social projects such as access to schooling, hospitals, orphanages, community centres and childcare.
Instead of extending the Annadhanam to Catholic churches, the two archbishops propose the government provided rice at a subsidised price to homes for the elderly and for the disabled as well as student hostels.
They conclude suggesting the government subsidise the more than 200 middle schools set up by Catholics since 1991. “If the government considered our plea, it would help the poor,” they said.
Despite the refusal by the Bishops’ Council, the Annadhanam scheme is being implemented in 180 temples throughout Tamil Nadu and will be extended to another 180 after January 14, Pongal (Harvest) Day.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said that her plan was positively received both within and outside the state. Some religious leaders asked to extend the programme to more temples.